Watts/Volts/Amps/Ohms Calculator

In electrical systems, four key units measure and define how electricity behaves: Watts (W), Volts (V), Amps (A), and Ohms (Ω). Each plays a specific role in understanding electrical power, current, voltage, and resistance. Let’s break them down clearly and simply.

What Are Watts?

Watts measure power—the rate at which electrical energy is consumed or produced. In everyday terms, it tells you how much work is done by electricity in a given time.

Formula:

\[
\text{Watts} = \text{Volts} \times \text{Amps}
\]

For example, a 60-watt light bulb running on a 120-volt circuit draws 0.5 amps.

What Are Volts?

Volts measure voltage, or the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. Think of it as the “pressure” that pushes electric current through wires.

Formula:

\[
\text{Volts} = \frac{\text{Watts}}{\text{Amps}}
\]

If a device uses 240 watts and draws 2 amps, the voltage is 120 volts.

What Are Amps?

Amps measure current, or the flow of electric charge. This tells you how much electricity flows through a circuit.

Formula:

\[
\text{Amps} = \frac{\text{Watts}}{\text{Volts}}
\]

For instance, if an appliance consumes 100 watts at 10 volts, it requires 10 amps.

What Are Ohms?

Ohms measure resistance, or how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. Higher resistance means less current flows through.

Formula:

\[
\text{Ohms} = \frac{\text{Volts}}{\text{Amps}}
\]

If a circuit has 10 volts and 2 amps, the resistance is 5 ohms.

How These Units Work Together

The relationship between watts, volts, amps, and ohms follows Ohm’s Law and the Power Law:

1. Ohm’s Law:
   \[
   V = I \times R
   \]
   Voltage equals current (\( I \)) multiplied by resistance (\( R \)).
2. Power Law:
   \[
   P = V \times I
   \]
   Power equals voltage multiplied by current.